MAINE vs. No. 14 CLEMSON

Time, site: Thursday, Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.; Clemson, S.C.

Records: Maine 9-3; Clemson 13-3

Series, last meeting: Clemson leads 11-0; Clemson 8-3 on 3/23/03

Top hitters – Maine: C Aaron Izaryk (.390, 12 RBI), CF Mike Livulpi (.371, 1 HR, 3 RBI), 1B Jesse Carlton (.357, 3 HR, 11 RBI), DH Alain Picard (.333, 1 HR, 17 RBI), 2B Brett Ouellette (.293, 11 RBI); Clemson: DH Garrick Evans (.333, 1 HR, 3 RBI), SS Russell Triplett (.333, 1 HR, 10 RBI), 3B Brad McCann (.328, 2 HR, 20 RBI), RF Zane Green (.327 7 RBI), CF Frank Kyle (.264, 3 HR, 14 RBI).

Possible Pitching Matchups

Maine Black Bears Clemson Tigers

ERA W-L Ks ERA W-L Ks

RH Mike MacDonald 2.57 1-1 16 RH Jeff Hahn 4.86 2-2 9

RH Ryan Harris 4.80 1-1 13 LH Tyler Lumsden 0.64 4-0 29

RH Mike Collar 2.40 1-1 16 RH Jaosn Berken 0.64 2-0 10

Outlook: The intensity is expected to pick up a notch for the Bears as they take on one of the nation’s most consistently strong programs. UMaine has overcome injuries and unspectacular hitting early with superb defense and outstanding pitching. The Bears will need strong outings from their starters to have a chance at beating Clemson for the first time. MacDonald and Collar both struggled here a year ago. UMaine also must advance runners and get clutch hits to score when the opportunities arise against the Tigers, who have won 11 in a row.